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Smokin’ Witches

Beach Hut theatre company produced my new play Smokin' Witches as part of their Halloween festival: Fantasies, Fables and Frights.

The two-week treat of spooky, funny, and chilling theatre included a full-length musical Summer's Edge, written by Alison Watt, composed by John Pattison, and Autumn Bites, six new one-act plays by local writers, with original music by local composers. I'm glad to have shared the stage with fellow writers Elaine Brookes, Jo Reed Turner, Paul Beck, Jason Mullen, and Paul Spencer.

In Smokin' Witches, after a reclusive, put-upon witch is forced to bring up her immature, adventure-seeking niece, she must navigate the chaos caused by a deceitful wizard, ancient spells, and the surprising inhabitants of a church roof. Does she have what it takes to reclaim the peace and quiet she craves?

The talented cast of Smokin' Witches - Kate Woodward-Hay, Astineh Aghanian, and Tim East - put on a brilliant performance in the specially-built studio theatre in Scarborough library, with music by Maisie Atkinson and set design by Helen Birmingham.

Beach Hut theatre company is extraordinary. A charity co-founded by Alison Watt and John Pattison, in the last 6 months they've commissioned, script edited, and directed full productions of 15 new plays, 7 of those with original music. Scarborough has a vibrant creative community and Beach Hut theatre company sits at its beating heart.

John and Ali weave the passion and dedication of a team of volunteers: writers, actors, stage managers, producers, designers, and composers. They create a space where we can explore our creativity, help us develop our craft, and put on a great show.